1. How can I take classes in Latin American Studies at NYU?
 2. Who should I speak with about the Master in International Affairs program?
 3. What grants and fellowships are available through ILAS?
 4. How can I get information about studying at ILAS?
 5. How can I get information about becoming an ILAS Visiting Scholar?
 6. What do I do for language proficiency/placement tests?
 7. How can I get a copy of a paper in the working paper series?
 8. Who can I talk to specializing in (topic)?
 9. How can I get on the ILAS mailing or email list? How can I get off the email/mailing list?
 10. Where can I go for academic advisement, if I am interested in Latin American Studies?

1.        How can I take classes in Latin American Studies at NYU?

 
Columbia students can register for classes offered by NYU's Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS) and receive full credit in GSAS or SIPA degree programs.  To cross-register for a class at NYU:
 
• Consult the NYU course listing available at ILAS (8th floor IAB) or online. You may need to register for the course through  the NYU registrar's office - please follow their guidelines. 
• Get the cross registration form from ILAS; have the Acting Director sign it. 
• Take the form with you to class at NYU.  Ask the NYU professor to sign it.  
• Register for the course at Columbia (in person) by presenting this form at the Special Case Registration Counter (205 Philosophy Hall). 
• Make a copy of the completed form and return the original to Registrar (205 Kent Hall).   Give the copy of this form to the course instructor.  
• Go to class as you would for a course at Columbia.  Complete the assignments as required.  Your grade will be submitted to Columbia by the NYU professor.
 
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2.        Who should I speak with about the Master in International Affairs program? 
 
SIPA Admissions Office: 854-3010.  Room 408 International Affairs Building.
 
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3.        What grants and fellowships are available through ILAS?
 • ILAS Fellowships web page
 • www.iaf.gov
 
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4.        How can I get information about studying at ILAS?
 
If you are interested in pursuing graduate studies with a Latin America focus, you should first apply to the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), to one of the departments in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS), or to one of the professional schools.  Graduate students in these programs may choose Latin America as a regional area of specialization for their degree, and ILAS offers a certificate to students completing a prescribed interdisciplinary program in conjunction with their respective graduate degree program.  Certification is granted to those who have written an essay based on original research, have completed 24-credits (eight courses) that satisfy distributional requirements, and have demonstrated full proficiency in either Spanish or Portuguese and at least reading knowledge of the both languages.
 
For more information on graduate programs at Columbia University, please visit the SIPA web site or the GSAS web site. Applications may be downloaded from both of these sites.  If you prefer, you may also write to:
 
Columbia University
School of International and Public Affairs
Office of Admissions
420 West 118th Street
New York, NY 10027
 
Columbia University
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Office of Admissions
107 Low Memorial Library
535 West 116th Street
New York, NY 10027
 
You should indicate your interest in ILAS when you apply.  If you have further questions, please call SIPA Admissions at 212/854-6216 or GSAS Admissions at 212/854-4737.
 
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5.        How can I get information about becoming an ILAS Visiting Scholar?
 
The Institute of Latin American Studies sponsors a Visiting Scholar program in which professors, distinguished professionals, practitioners, and occasionally advanced graduate students from Latin America or Latin American scholars from the United States are invited to conduct their own research at Columbia. Visiting Scholars are welcome to participate in events scheduled at ILAS and throughout the University, are requested to present current research in a lecture or other activity, and are invited to submit an article to the ILAS working paper series.

 
A Visiting Scholar appointment is not a paid position and does not provide office space, health insurance or housing.  You will be given access (but not borrowing privileges) to the University libraries and other resources.  For a fee, you can receive an e-mail account.
 
If you would like to apply for Visiting Scholar status, please us a resume and a description of the research you would like to conduct at Columbia.  Please also specify the dates you anticipate spending at Columbia (you may be appointed for a maximum of one year) and the name of the institution that will provide funding for you. Please send these documents care of:
 
ILAS Administrator
Columbia University
830 International Affairs Building
420 W. 118th Street
New York, NY 10027
 
We can then open the application process through the International Students and Scholars Office.  If you have any further questions about becoming a Visiting Scholar, please call our Administrator at 212-854-4643.
               
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6.        What do I do for language proficiency/placement tests? 
 
The Spanish Placement Test is for students who need to take a Spanish course at Columbia and need to know what level they are in.  This test is administered by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. 
 
Ph.D. students needing a simple reading and/or translation competency test can find the information they need about this test from the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at the beginning of each semester.
 
SIPA students who feel that they are exempt from SIPA's graduation requirement (completed second semester Intermediate Spanish) can take the Spanish Proficiency Test.  The written portion of the test is administered on the 14th Floor at the beginning and end of each semester.  After students have passed the written portion, Professor Ruth Borgman (831 IAB at the Institute) administers the oral part of the examination, which is a 20-minute interview intended to ensure that the student is beyond the Intermediate level of spoken Spanish.
 
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7.        How can I get a copy of a paper in the working paper series?
 
The easiest way is to print a copy from the web . Printed copies can also be mailed to you for a $5.00 charge (per paper).   If the paper you would like is not available on-line (the pre-1997 papers are not), please send a request for the specific paper and a check (made out to ILAS, Columbia University) to the Institute Administrator.
 
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8.        Who can I talk to specializing in (topic)?
 
A list of Columbia Faculty and Research Associates affiliated with the Institute can be found on our web site. 
 
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9.        How can I get on the ILAS mailing or email list?  How can I get off the email/mailing list?
 
For email, follow the "subscribe" (or "unsubscribe") instructions on the ILAS Contact Us web page.
To be added to the regular mailing list, please fill out the form on the same web page. To be deleted from the regular mailing list, please email the ILAS Administrator with your request.
 
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10.        Where can I go for academic advisement, if I am interested in Latin American Studies?
 
See your department chair for guidance.